Nick Britten
@Nick_Britten
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Avid reader Golf bore and lover of History. Avid Spurs fan. #COYS
Rochester, South East
Joined June 2009
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Mr Previn, you may have been a world renowned pianist, conductor, and composer, winner of four Academy Awards and ten Grammy Awards but for most people in Britain you will always be remembered for this sketch.
Not a bad legacy to have I think?
RIP Andre Previn.
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On this day 22nd January 1879 the Zulu army of King Cetshwayo attacks and destroys the main camp of the invading British Army. 1800 native and European troops are slaughtered including 6 companies of the 24th Regiment of Foot. Next in its sight is Rorke's Drift.
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I know it's discussed a lot on here but I've just watched Master & Commander on Film 4 and I still can't get over just how perfect the film is! The acting, dialogue, action scenes and Crowe absolutely being Lucky Jack are just brilliant!
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Remembering actor Stanley Baker who died aged 48 of Cancer on this day 28th June 1976
Best known and best loved as Lieutenant Chard in the film Zulu. He not only starred in the film but was the driving force behind getting the film made and raised the £3m required.
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Ishar Singh VC
War Office, 25th November, 1921.
His Majesty the KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the award of the Victoria Cross to the undermentioned: —
No. 1012 Sepoy Ishar Singh, 28th Punjabis, Indian Army
For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to
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Happy 90th birthday to the one and only Michael Caine!
He will forever be Lieutenant Gronville Bromhead to me!
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Spike Milligan and Peter Ustinov talking to Terry Wogan about just some of their experiences during WW2.
We don't have celebrities with these sort of stories today.
No wonder so much comedy and writing came out of the war.
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Happy 91th birthday to the one and only Michael Caine!
He will forever be Lieutenant Gronville Bromhead to me!
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On this day...
Men of the 74th Regiment line up on the deck of the steam transport 'Birkenhead' which sank off the coast of South Africa on 26 February 1852. She was carrying 480 officers and men as reinforcements for British troops engaged in the
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In 1936 some of the last few survivors of the action at Rorke’s Drift attended the military tattoo in Gateshead. The men L-R are Alfred Saxty, Caleb Wood, Frank Bourne, John Jobbins and William Cooper.
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On this day 19th July 1933, Rorkes Drift defender Private Charles Robson RE died.
Charles enlisted as a Driver in the Royal Engineers, on the 30th April 1873, having previously worked with his father as a groom.
He was not a tall lad standing just 5' 5".
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While not a Victoria Cross winner, Colour Sergeant Frank Bourne, thanks to the film Zulu is probably the most famous defender of Rorke's Drift.
Frank Bourne was only 24 at the time of Rorke’s Drift which made him the youngest Colour sergeant in the British Army. He was
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On this day 30th January 1965 the state funeral for Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill KG OM CH TD PCc DL FRS RA Prime Minister of Great Britain 1940 to 1945 and again from 1951 to 1955 is held.
Britain's great war time leader had died on the 24th after suffering a
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Victoria Crosses of Rorke's Drift
Lieutenant John Rouse Merriot Chard No. 5 Coy. Royal Engineers
Chard was born in Boxhill on the 21st December 1847 and he joined the Royal Engineers after passing out of the Royal Military Academy Woolwich in 1868.
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On this day 9th September 1897 the Battle of Saragarhi took place. At 9.00 10,000 Afghans attacked the signalling post at Saragarhi on the North West Frontier.
21 men of the 4th Battalion 36th Sikh Regiment held the post.
After being informed from Fort Lockhart that no
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On this day 6th September 1898 Rorke's Drift Hero Private Robert Jones VC committed suicide.
Here is the newspaper report...
****discussing Suicide****
A RORKE's DRIFT HERO.
Last week Robert Jones, an old 24th man, committed suicide in a very determined manner at
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Many Indian Regiments adopted the Bagpipes after coming into contact with Highland Regiments.
The regiments from the North West Frontier of India especially had an close relationship with the
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Thought this was pretty amazing, Roman Re-enactors from 100 years ago! Filmed at a Naval Military Tournament sometime between 1910-1919.
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Defenders of Rorke's Drift
Next is Private Henry Hook.
Henry Hook was born in Alney near Gloucester on the 6th August 1850. He had served in the local militia for 5 years before enlisting in the regular army in 1877.
He traveled to South Africa with the rest of his
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After the disaster of Isandlwana and the destruction of the central column only the valour of 100+ defenders of Rorke's Drift saved the British position in the Zulu Kingdon, the British colony of Natal and the career of Lord Chelmsford.
I'll leave the last word to Richard Burton.
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My favourite thing ever.
The final meeting of the South African War Veteran's Association in 1972.
Colonel Bertrand Laing, the last President reads the letter sent to Queen Elizabeth informing her of the disbandment.
From the Sons of the Blood Documentary by Kenneth Griffiths.
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On this day, 6th August 1850, Henry Hook was born. Hook was a defender at Rorke’s Drift and was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions in defending the Hospital. Despite his portrayal in Zulu, he was a teetotaler and model soldier.
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Died on this day 22nd September 1934 Rorke's Drift Defender Private John Jobbins
Jobbins was born Trevethin in 1856 and joined the regular army in 1877, having become "bored" of his job as an ironworker,
He was part of the 24th Regiment of Foot (2nd Warwickshire Regiment)
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On this day 15th November 1899 a young Winston Churchill is captured by the Boers after the armored train he is travelling on is attacked.
In December, Churchill and two other inmates escaped the prison over the latrine wall. Churchill stowed aboard a freight train and
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Tonight's viewing. Is this the best war Movie/TV ever made? It just never gets old. Brilliant performances and Damian Lewis as Dick Winters is one of the great TV performances.
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Still think this is pretty amazing!
Thought this was pretty amazing, Roman Re-enactors from 100 years ago! Filmed at a Naval Military Tournament sometime between 1910-1919.
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Forgotten Defenders of Rorke's Drift
Private Edward Savage.
Savage was born in 1858 St Woolas, Newport, Monmouthshire, Wales and joined the 24th (2nd Warwickshire) Regiment of Foot in 1877 aged 18.
In 1878 he, along with the rest of the battalion were sent to South Africa
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Forgotten Defenders of Rorke's Drift.
Next up is Private Robert Tongue.
He attested on the 1st March 1877 along with his friend Calab Wood. On the 1st July 1878 he was sent to the Cape and took part in the Frontier Wars and in January 1879 was sent to Rorke's Drift.
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On this day 18th February 1900 the Battle of Paardeberg began took place during the 2nd Anglo Boer War. The 15,000 British Troops hugely outnumbered the 7,000 Boers and the equally uneven number of Artillery pieces for the British meant the initial plan was to bombard the
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Forgotten Defenders of Rorke's Drift
Next up is Private John Jobbins.
Jobbins was born Trevethin in 1856 and joined the regular army in 1877, having become "bored" of his job as an ironworker,
He was part of the 24th Regiment of Foot (2nd Warwickshire Regiment), based in
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On this day 26th January 1885 the 10 month siege of Khartoum ended as Mahdist forces enter the city. Victorian hero General Charles George "Chinese" Gordon was killed, along with his mainly Egyptian soldiers in the slaughter that followed. A British relief force lead by
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On this day 12th August 1860 a Private John Moyse of the 3rd (East Kent, the Buffs) Regiment was captured by the Chinese at the Taku Forts during the 2nd Opium War (1856-1860).
Moyse is shown, hands tied behind back, confronting a Chinese mandarin on horseback both are
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Apparently 18th January is Winnie the Pooh day so...
The untold story of Rorke's Drift by A A Milne.
“Why us Pooh?” Said Piglet “‘Cos we’re here Piglet” said Pooh. “There’s nobody else.
#History
#WinnieThePoohDay
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Forgotten Defenders of Rorke's Drift
Next up is Private Charles Robson RE
Charles enlisted as a Driver in the Royal Engineers, on the 30th April 1873, having previously worked with his father as a groom. He was not a tall lad standing just 5' 5". He was soon posted to
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Long Thread
General Sir Horace Lockwood Smith-Dorrien is perhaps best know as commander of the BEF’s II corps in the early stages of WW1 but was famously sacked by Field Marshall French in 1915. What is less well known about him was that he is one of only a handful of
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Defenders of Rorke's Drift.
Pte. John William Roy DCM (24th. Regt.)
Thought to have been born in Forfarshire (now Angus) in Scotland. Joined the army 8/8/1870 aged 17
He had a chequered army career, with bad conduct, drink related injuries, and eventually virtual incapacity
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On this day 1st November 1897 Lieutenant John Rouse Merriot Chard VC No. 5 Coy. Royal Engineers and commander of Rorke's Drift died.
Chard was born in Boxhill on the 21st December 1847 and he joined the Royal Engineers after passing out of the
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Defenders of Rorke's Drift
Private John Williams (AKA John Fielding) B Coy 2nd Bn 24th Regt
John Fielding was born in Abergavenny on the 24th May 1857 and was a worker at the Nut and Bolt Factory. After enjoying his time in the Militia he decided to join the Regulars in 1877
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Defenders of Rorke's Drift.
Private Robert Jones VC. B Coy, 2 Bn, 24th Regt.
Robert Jones was born in Monmouthshire on the 19th March 1857. He was a farm labourer like his father and defied his father’s wishes by enlisting in January 1876.
For his actions at Rorke’s Drift
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The Charge of the Light Brigade took place during the Battle of Balaclava
Sgt Frederick Peake of the 13th (Light) Dragoons was one of those who took part. Here he is in old age, dressed in the coatee that he wore during the Charge of the Light Brigade.
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Men of the British Empire.
The Sikh Regiments of the Indian Army were the main shock troops used by the British from 1846 up until Independence in 1947. The Sikh Regiment was at one stage one of the highest decorated regiments in the British Empire.
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On this day 7th August 1900 Sergeant T Lawrence was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions during the 2nd Boer War.
He was on patrol with a private near Essenbosch when the two were attacked by twelve or fourteen Boers. The private's horse was shot and he was thrown,
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Drop an actor who was absolutely perfect in their role.
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OTD 1900 Corporal Ross of the Imperial Yeomanry made this entry to his diary during the 2nd Boer War
Sept 27th
They got us up at 3.30am. On going to saddle up I found that my horse was gone. However, after a careful search, I found him, though he had changed colour and size
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Victoria Crosses of Rorke's Drift
Lieutenant Gonville Bromhead B Coy, 2nd Bn, 24th Regt of Foot
Gonville Bromhead was a classic army officer of the 19th Century. He was third son of a Baronet who was a lieutenant at Waterloo and had retired as a major.
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On this day 9th February 1891 Major Gronville Bromhead VC died of enteric fever at Allahabad India. After earning his VC at the defence of Rorke's Drift in 1879 he was posted to Gibraltar, Hythe school of Musketry before fighting with distinction during the Burma campaign 1886-88
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Forgotten Defenders of Rorke's Drift.
Sergeant Henry Gallagher
Henry Edward Gallagher was born in March 1855 at Thurles, County Tipperary, Ireland.
His parents died when he was young so the Catholic Church took over the running of the family farm and the care of young Henry.
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Just read that the young lad in the Famous Titanic newspaper boy picture was killed in France on the 29/10/18. His name was Ned Parfett and he was killed at Valenciennes when a shell hit the quartermaster stores he was in as he was picking up clothes before going on leave,
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In 1934 some of the last survivors of Rorke's Drift attended the reenactment of the battle at the Gateshead tattoo.
Alfred Saxty is Far left, Caleb Wood, Frank Bourne, Military representative, John Jobbins and William Copper.
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Defenders of Rorke's Drift.
Corporal William Wilson Allen. B Coy, 2nd Bn, 24th Regiment of Foot
William Allen was born in Newcastle-upon-Tyne in February 1844. He enlisted in 1859 and was posted to the 24th Regiment of Foot.
He served in Mauritius and seems to have been a
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RIP Rutger Hauer. Probably one of the strangest actors but also one of the best. Another legend has left the building.
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Admiral Sir Walter (Tich) Cowan had one of the most extraordinary careers ive ever come across. Born in 1871 he joined the Royal Navy in 1884 where he was a class mate of future Admiral David Beatty. As a Midshipman he joined the flagship of the Mediterranean Fleet,
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Forgotton heroes of Rorkes Drift.
Padre George 'Ammunition' Smith.
Born in Docking in Norfolk in 1845, 'Padre' George Smith served as a missionary in South Africa from 1870. However, he is best remembered for his part in the famous defence of Rorke's Drift during the
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On this day 30th Dec 1885 the British Army fought the Battle of Ginnis during the Sudan revolt. This would be the last time the British Army would go into battle wearing their famous/infamous redcoats. Khaki would be universally adopted from now on.
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On this day 7th August 1900 Sergeant T Lawrence was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions during the 2nd Boer War.
He was on patrol with a private near Essenbosch when the two were attacked by twelve or fourteen Boers. The private's horse was shot and he was thrown,
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Happy 87th Birthday to Lieutenant Bromhead, I mean Michael Caine.
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Amazing video showing the influence the bombing scene from the 1955 classic Dambusters had on George Lucas while shooting the attack on the DeathStar in the 1977 Clasicc Star Wars!
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On this day 14th November 1914 one of the greatest Victorian soliders, Field Marshal Frederick Sleigh (Bobs) Roberts, VC died at St Omar France of Pneumonia, caught after visiting his beloved Indian Army in the Trenches of the Western Front.
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Sergeant Frederick Peake in old age, dressed in the coatee that he wore during the Charge of the Light Brigade.
Frederick Thomas Peake (1828-1906) was born in Dublin where he enlisted into the 13th (Light) Dragoons in November 1846, aged 18. After service in the
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6th January 1913.
Rorke's Drift Hero Fred Hitch VC dies at the age 56.
Fred Hitch was born on the 29th November 1856 in London. He joined the 24th Regiment of Foot and as he was illiterate signed his sign up papers with a X.
In 1879 at the age of 22 he fought at
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Happy 88th birthday to Lieutenant Bromhead, I mean Michael Caine!
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I've spent the morning reading up on conditions in Barracks at the turn of the 19th Century. Found this amazing picture of the Royal Naval Depot ships the old wooden Line of Battleships 'Marlborough' & 'Duke of Wellington' Portsmouth as the crews move to new barracks 1903.
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Master Gunner Robert Turner, shown here wearing full dress uniform and standing beside a cannon on the battlements of Fort Belvedere at Windsor Park, was a veteran of the Crimean War (1854-1856). At the date of this photograph (1880) he was
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On this day 19th October 1858 during the Indian Mutiny, Lieutenant Evelyn Wood commanding the 3rd Light Cavalry was awarded the Victoria Cross. His citation reads:
"having, on the 19th of October, 1858, during Action at Sindwaho, when in command of a Troop of the
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Double VC winner Captain Charles Upham, the only combat soldier to receive the award twice pictured with Ishar Singh, the first
#Sikh
recipient, both in London for the Victoria Cross Centenary celebration 1956.
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Died on this day 24th November 1932.
Private John Williams (AKA John Fielding) B Coy, 2nd Bn, 24th Regt.
John was born in Abergavenny on the 24th May 1857 and was a worker at the Nut and Bolt Factory. After enjoying his time in the Militia he decided to
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Defenders of Rorke's Drift
Private William Jones. B Coy, 2nd Bn, 24th Regt.
William Jones was born in Bristol in 1839. Originally he worked in the footwear business but enlisted in 1858. He served in Mauritius and Burma (where he was promoted to Corporal and then
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On this day 12th October 1879 The British Forces in Afghanistan occupy Kabul in response to "rebel forces" attacking the British residency and massacring the embassy mission.
With all British officers dead the Afghans offered the Moslem soldiers of the Guides the chance to
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On this day
Charles Burley Ward was 22 years old, and a private in the 2nd Battalion, The King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC:
On the 26th June, 1900, at Lindley, a picquet of the Yorkshire Light Infantry
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General Sir Horace Lockwood Smith-Dorrien is perhaps best know as commander of the BEF’s II corps in the early stages of WW1 What is less well known about him was that he is one of only a handful of officers to have survived the disaster at the Battle of Isandlwana in 1879.
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Anyone interested in the age of sail will appreciate this, Gives some idea of the damage a 24 pndr cannon ball will cause when it hits the side of a ship. The footage from the inside is horrifying!
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RIP to Time Team's Victor Ambrus. A huge part of the program and seemed like such a nice guy.
#TimeTeam
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The King greets his Indian soldiers: Survivors of Neuve Chapelle after their audience.
Twenty-Six Indian soldiers who were received in audience by the King-Emperor at Buckingham Palace last Saturday. they are survivors of those units of the Indian Army who fought on the
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2nd Lieutenant John Norwood (8 September 1876 – 8 September 1914) 5th dragoon Guards was awarded his Victoria Cross for his actions on the 30th October 1900.
His Citation reads:
This Officer went out from Ladysmith in charge of a small patrol of the 5th Dragoon Guards.
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OTD 19th July 1933 Rorke's Drift defender Charles John Robson died. He enlisted as a driver in the Royal Engineers & served as batman to Lt Chard throughout the Anglo-Zulu War. He was originally buried in an unmarked grave until the 90's when the local RE association paid for one
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Happy birthday to the Irish Guards.
The Irish Guards were raised by order of Queen Victoria on 1 April 1900 in recognition of the bravery of Irish soldiers who were then serving in South Africa during the Boer War (1899-1902). The cadre of the new regiment consisted of
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On this day 28th June 1976, actor Stanley Baker died aged 48 of Cancer.
Best known and best loved as Lieutenant Chard in the film Zulu. He not only starred in the film but was the driving force behind getting the film made and raised the £3m required.
RIP.
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The 1st Battalion York and Lancaster regiment backbone was it Non-Commissioned officers. They were the glue that held the regiment together under fire, inspiring the men and steadying the officers.
Picture 1: Staff Sergeants
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Magnificent Picture of Colonel Francis Lloyd on his promotion to Commander of the 1st Grenadier Guards 1903.
Lloyd was commissioned as a sub-lieutenant into the 33rd (or The Duke of Wellington's) Regiment in 1874. He transferred to his father's regiment,
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Today marks the 75th Anniversary of the death of Colour Sergeant Frank Bourne. Last survivor of the Battle of Rorke's Drift. Thanks to Nigel Green portrayal in the Film Zulu Bourne is probably the most well known and popular participant of the battle.
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On this day 1880 The Battle of Maiwand.
Bobbie, the dog, belonged to Lance-Sergeant Peter Kelly of the 66th Regiment of Foot (the Berkshire Regiment).
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The British Army obviously didn't like to fight in January.
23rd/24th January 1900 they suffer a heavy defeat at Spion Kop by the Boers during the 2nd Boer War.
Pinned down under a heavy Cross fire and murderous artillery fire the British suffer 1500 killed and wounded.
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Many Indian Regiments adopted the Bagpipes after coming into contact with Highland Regiments.
The regiments from the North West Frontier of India especially had
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Victoria Crosses of Rorke's Drift
Surgeon James Henry Reynolds Army Medical Department
James Reynolds was born in Dublin 1844 and studied medicine at Trinity College, graduating in 1867. He joined the Medical Staff Corps in 1868 and was posted to the 36th Regiment as Medical
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Now this is special.
The final meeting of the South African War Veteran's Association in 1972.
Colonel Bertrand Laing, the last President reads the letter sent to Queen Elizabeth informing her of the disbandment.
From the Sons of the Blood Documentary by Kenneth Griffiths.
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Defenders Of Rorke's Drift
Friedrich (real name Ferdnard) Schiess was a Swiss national who served in the Colonial cavalry during the 9th Frontier War. He was born at Berne in Switzerland in 1856 and when only 15 served on the French side during the Franco-Prussian war.
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Forgotten Defenders of Rorke's Drift
Next up is Colour Sgt George Mabin.
George William Mabin was born in the parish of St. Augustine's, Bristol in October 1848
He enlisted in Bristol with the 2nd Bn, Rifle Brigade on the 1st June 1868. Promoted to the rank of Corporal .
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Company Sergeant Christy and Sergeant McGifford, Royal Artillery, 1856.
When a body of men of the Royal Artillery arrived back in England from the Crimea in 1856, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert inspected them at Woolwich. The Queen was so pleased with the appearance of
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Forgotten Defenders of Rorke's Drift.
Private Caleb Wood 25B/1316, B Company 2nd Battalion, 24th Regiment (2nd Warwickshire).
Caleb was born in Ruddington Nottingham in 1858 and attested to the 24th regiment in 1877, along with Private John Tongue from the same village.
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At the scene of the 21st Lancers famous charge: The survivors overlooking the historic Nullah. with the memorial in the background.
A pilgrimage to Omdurman was recently made under circumstances of exceptional interest, Colonel Smyth of the 21st Lancers, taking a
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Survivors of the cavalry charge at Balaklava on 25 October 1854, taken on the 33rd Anniversary Dinner in 1887.
The group includes members of the 8th (The King's Royal Irish) Light Dragoons (Hussars), 11th (Prince Albert's Own) Hussars, 4th (The Queen's Own Light) Dragoons,
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Today in 1970...Black Tot Day, the last day on which sailors in the Royal Navy were issued their daily rum ration. The amount was one eighth of a pint of rum (70ml) per day, issued at 11am. The 300 year old tradition was now deemed no longer appropriate in the modern Navy.
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Watched all 3 parts of Generation War last night. I honestly thought it was one of the best pieces of film depicting the horrors of War both at the front and behind the front. Thought it handled the war crimes and the holocaust sensitively without hiding from it. Just brilliant
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